I Have Become The Snow Maiden I Created

Translator: Marctempest

Editor/Proofreader: TempWane

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Chapter 50: Holy Land Chelmberd (2)

The Holy State was immersed in a festive atmosphere.

This was entirely due to the defeat of the calamity.

The overwhelming majority of the Holy State’s citizens, being devout believers, harbored immense hostility toward the calamity, and the exhilaration of driving it away was indescribable.

Among them, the capital city, Disdel.

A place that had become the birthplace of a new Saint, attracting pilgrims from across the continent.

A knight spoke up in the midst of this excitement.

“Ha-ha, it’s truly a joyous occasion!”

He was engrossed in a conversation with a gentleman who had approached him during his patrol.

“The Black Calamity, that fiend underestimated us humans. So, of course, it got what was coming to it. It’s probably too scared to set foot here ever again.”

His voice brimmed with confidence.

An elderly gentleman adjusted his monocle with a serene expression.

Behind him stood a clumsy-looking young man.

“This is all thanks to the Saint’s grace─”

“Complacency is dangerous. It will exploit our weaknesses and prey on the gaps in our hearts.”

The voice of Agnatz, a theologian, was firm and resolute.

The knight, who had fallen silent, glanced at him awkwardly before mumbling.

“Ah… yes. That’s true, of course.”

An awkward silence ensued.

Agnatz, however, was entirely unfazed and continued.

“The emergence of the calamity… It’s undoubtedly intriguing, but my interest lies elsewhere. Likely, most would agree with me.”

The calamity’s notoriety and infamy were too vast to recount.

The major event in the Holy State had eventually reached the Empire as well, prompting Agnatz to rush there in haste.

He had entrusted his ongoing research, including the spirit armor, to his disciples.

With the designs completed, he was confident that his absence wouldn’t pose an issue.

“The Saint who defeated that calamity…”

Just as he was about to ask further, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed.

Hearing the creak of armor, he turned to see a stout man approaching.

The patrolling knight saluted upon seeing him.

“Captain! You’ve arrived!”

“Yes. Keep up the good work.”

“Understood!”

The commander of the Holy Knights, Blefer, glanced at him before looking at Agnatz.

With a composed demeanor, Blefer spoke.

“To think the continent’s greatest scholar would visit us—your reputation must indeed be widespread.”

“!”

The knight commander’s formal tone and behavior startled the nearby knight.

“Are you… Sir Agnatz? I thought I sensed an air of brilliance…”

“Dispense with the pleasantries.”

The unparalleled reputation of the eminent scholar was well-known even within the Holy State of Astar.

Agnatz stroked his chin thoughtfully before asking.

“I’ve only revealed my identity once, you know.”

“Your arrival was promptly reported, starting with our informants and reaching the Knight Order. Do not underestimate the Holy State’s intelligence network.”

“Hoho.”

Though Blefer had intended to assert himself firmly, the theologian’s sly grin left him flustered.

Agnatz nonchalantly replied.

“I figured as much. That’s why I only revealed it once. You came sooner than I expected.”

“······!”

His unwavering tone suggested that everything had gone according to plan.

Blefer’s brows furrowed in a mix of confusion and slight annoyance.

“You should hear the details from someone well-informed. Thank you for coming; time is more precious than gold, after all.”

Agnatz’s remarks were entirely true.

If one possessed status and renown, it was only natural to use them to their advantage.

By leveraging his identity, he anticipated that someone influential would come to him.

“······You could have come to us directly. There was no need for such roundabout measures.”

“Roundabout? Thanks to this, I was able to chat leisurely while you came to find me yourself.”

“Ugh…”

Blefer scratched the back of his neck in mild embarrassment.

Agnatz maintained his composed demeanor as he pressed on.

“The emergence of the calamity—I’d like to hear the details. And about the so-called ‘Saint with silver and blue hair’—who exactly is she… Petras.”

“Yes, sir!”

The disciple, Petras, who had been lingering in the back, hastily took out a notebook.

With pen poised, he appeared ready to record everything.

However, Blefer quickly shattered the mood.

“I cannot disclose that information.”

“What?”

Agnatz blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting this response.

This was problematic.

Had his arrogant attitude caused him to fall out of favor?

Fortunately, the knight commander soon changed his stance.

“…That is my initial response, but considering it is you, Sir Agnatz, you’d uncover it easily enough. I’ll share the information.”

“Haha. I see. You startled me for a moment there.”

“It’s not something to discuss here. Please follow me.”

The knight commander led the way, followed by the theologian and his disciple.

The two had nearly pieced together the identity of the rumored Saint.

What they needed now was confirmation.

And the intricate details of the incident.

*

On the road to Chelmbird.

Despite the rattling carriage moving unusually fast, the ride was remarkably smooth.

The familiarity of the situation, including the coachman, was unmistakable.

The skilled coachman, Chevran.

Unsurprisingly unpopular, he was alone again, making it easy to secure a ride.

“Whew, I thought I was going to die back then. Black tendrils rose up, aiming for the carriage… I couldn’t believe it was the Black Calamity!”

Chevran’s vivid voice carried the tension of the moment.

His resonant words caught both my and Nell’s attention.

“Not knowing what it was at the time saved me. If I had realized, my hands would’ve frozen in fear! At any rate, I thought we were doomed… That day, I cursed my stupidity for thinking the noblewoman was just wealthy.”

He was referring to the ambush we faced while returning to Disdel after retrieving costumes.

Growing impatient, Nell pressed him.

“And? What happened next? What did Quellière do?”

“Curious, are you? Well, then, that’ll be five silver coins for the extra details!”

“Uh… wait. Here, take it.”

Frantically searching her pocket, she handed over the payment.

Chevran, who had likely been joking, blinked in surprise before quietly pocketing the money.

“Chevran.”

My cold voice made him freeze in place.

“Return it.”

“······Ha-ha-ha! Of course, I intended to! Just a joke, a joke!”

Letting out an awkward laugh, he returned the money.

Then he composed himself again and continued.

“At the moment when the calamity’s claws reached for the carriage… the noblewoman unleashed the power of ice with a sharp snap! She raised a frigid wall and summoned a pure white breath, her majesty was truly······!”

“······.”

Whether he had secretly rehearsed or not, his delivery was exceptionally smooth.

Feeling embarrassed, I lowered my head slightly.

He was exaggerating too much.

All I remembered was running helplessly since I didn’t even have the Apocalypse back then.

But it seemed the other listener had a different impression.

“Wow. Woooow. Amazing······.”

“With such power, not even a calamity could stand a chance! It must have been utterly terrified!”

“Y-you’re incredible, Quellière···!”

Nell, her mouth agape, kept exclaiming in admiration.

She looked like a follower entranced by a cult leader, devoid of reason in her shining eyes.

Surely, she didn’t actually believe this, did she?

As Chevran’s dramatic tale concluded and Nell basked in its afterglow, he shifted his target.

“By the way······ the noblewoman’s companion is quite elegant as well.”

His radar had locked onto her, and there was no escaping the shower of compliments.

“The harmony of that vintage attire with her crimson hair reminds me of a certain phrase.”

“Wh-what phrase?”

“‘The flower of society,’ of course─”

“······!”

Nell shrieked and waved her hands frantically.

She wasn’t used to such direct compliments, visibly breaking into goosebumps.

“Like a lioness, fierce and intense, yet her noble allure draws men to line up─”

“···Ack! Stop it, stop it already!”

Her blushing cheeks were somehow endearing, and watching her reaction made the time pass quickly.

Before long, the rattling carriage arrived at a dusty yellow street.

The driver’s voice confirmed what we had already guessed from looking outside.

“We’ve arrived! This is the Holy Land Chelmbird!”

We promptly disembarked, and the carriage rattled away.

With my hood drawn tightly, I looked around.

I blinked softly.

“···This is the heart of the Holy State.”

It truly lived up to its reputation.

Taller and more pristine buildings than those in Disdel lined the streets, and landmarks that were rare in the capital appeared here and there.

Most notably, there were the Grand Temple and several cathedrals.

Turning to Nell, who was gaping at the sight, I asked.

“Is this your first time in Chelmbird?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah.”

“You acted like you knew all about it earlier.”

Her cheeks seemed to twitch nervously.

“Ah··· no. It’s not that. I wasn’t pretending. I just shared what I’d heard.”

“I see.”

“I wasn’t trying to sound knowledgeable; I just thought you’d be curious─”

“Okay.”

Leaving her flustered, I turned my gaze back to the streets of the Holy Land.

Indeed, the citizens seemed to be of higher standing than those in the capital.

Priests and clerics bustled about······.

“······Hmm?”

I tilted my head.

This was unusual.

It wasn’t normal to see so many people resembling high-ranking clerics.

Curious, I decided to approach them, with Nell clinging closely behind me.

Pulling my hood further down, I stopped a passing priestess and asked.

“What’s going on?”

“Pardon?”

The priestess, her expression bright, held a wand in her hand.

Instead of pointing out my informal tone, she asked back.

“What do you mean?”

“Everyone seems busy. Is there a festival?”

“Festival······.”

She mulled over the word before breaking into a radiant smile.

“Yes! You could call it a festival. You’re from out of town, I presume.”

“That’s right.”

“Where are you from?”

“Disdel.”

“Ah, I see.”

I had deliberately chosen someone who seemed approachable, and it had paid off.

The priestess readily shared information.

“Did you know that a new holy day has been established? In commemoration of it, a grand mass will soon take place. That’s why so many pilgrims and travelers like you are visiting.”

“···Ah.”

With this brief conversation, my questions were answered.

To summarize, it was all because of me.

The Grand Temple had declared the day of the calamity’s defeat a holy day and announced a mass with the slogan “Humanity’s Counterattack.”

It was likely a move to bolster faith and morale.

“The mass will proceed with ‘Street Purification,’ ‘Cathedral Challenge Rites,’ and finally ‘Sanctuary Opening’ in that order.”

“So, what’s happening now is the Street Purification?”

“Yes. Even though the calamity was defeated, the Black Calamity did descend upon us. Its essence must have seeped into various places.”

In preparation for this holy day, they needed to purify every corner, which explained the presence of priests and clerics.

I had a rough understanding now.

“···The mass.”

It was one of the Holy State’s significant events.

While the details and titles differed, it was likely similar in essence.

Not a bad thing, really.

It provided an opportunity to naturally get involved and gather something useful.

Such events often came with some commotion.

“Thank you.”

Forcing out a rare expression of gratitude, I was about to leave when a murmured thought reached me.

“But why hasn’t the Saint who defeated the calamity appeared yet?”

“···!”

I flinched in surprise but kept my expression neutral and glanced sideways.

The priest, who had covered her cheek, spoke as if genuinely puzzled.

“Why, I wonder. The knights have been mobilized to find her, haven’t they?”

“Who knows.”

“It’s a shame. I want to meet her quickly. Will she show up before the mass begins…?”

I calmed myself, suppressing my pounding heart.

Fortunately, it seemed to be pure curiosity without any suspicion directed at me.

“I’m heading off. Take care.”

“Oh? Yes, goodbye!”

Feigning composure, I turned my back to her.

The most notable trait of the rumored Saintess was her pale blue hair. For now, I was safe with my hood on.

Once the tension eased, a sullen feeling took over me.

“Why wouldn’t I show up?”

The problem was their fanatical obsession.

I had no saintly powers, and even if I did, I would refuse to be treated as a Saintess.

That path would only lead to being burdened with enormous responsibilities in the name of faith.

The lives of believers who had been revered as saints spoke for themselves.

“Wow. That scared me,” Nell suddenly exclaimed after being silent for a while.

“Did she notice something? Or was it just a random remark?”

“Of course, it was just random.”

Otherwise, why would I have left so easily?

A thought crossed my mind, so I asked her, “Aren’t you curious?”

“Curious about what?”

“Why I don’t reveal my identity.”

Now that I thought about it, she had never asked me that before. What had she been thinking all this time?

“!”

It was a trivial question, but she flinched visibly.

Soon after, Nell began to fidget nervously and murmured softly, “Well… not really. I have a vague idea. You don’t like… I mean, you don’t particularly care for humans, do you?”

“…What?”

“So, I figured it was something like that.”

I tilted my head slightly.

She seemed to have misunderstood something.

I opened my mouth to correct her. “That’s not it.”

“…What?!”

“I don’t dislike them.”

Even though I wasn’t human anymore… I had been one, so there was no reason for me to dislike them.

There might be specific individuals I disliked, but as a whole, I leaned more toward liking them.

“…!”

Leaving behind Nell, who seemed to gasp for breath for no reason, I looked around Chelmbird.

While the highlight of this mass event was undoubtedly the ‘Sanctuary Opening,’ considering the ‘Challenge Spirit’ was also worthwhile.

If things went as I knew, I could acquire a relic.

“But before that.”

I needed to scout the city thoroughly.

Knowing what was where would allow me to prepare. It was fine—I had plenty of funds.

Clink—

The still-bulging coin pouch reassured me.

*

Clatter—Clatter—

Through a dim alleyway.

The black steed Urbos advanced with caution.

As always, the horse carrying two riders moved slowly, yet its hoofbeats were heavy and resonant.

Puff—!

Perhaps feeling grumpy, Urbos snorted loudly, only to be patted by Paile.

Then, as if dissatisfied, she grumbled, “Do we really have to go this far?”

Her companion was not the black horse but a man clad in dark armor.

Chandrafail remained silent.

He was pursuing someone.

Quellière… or rather, someone connected to her.

“I’ve thought about it, but you really are too biased, aren’t you? You should look at things besides monsters—”

“A monster hunter doesn’t let go of prey once it’s been marked.”

As her repeated nagging started again, he cut her off.

His chilling voice carried a firm conviction.

Once he marked his target, there was no abandoning it unless he lost in battle.

Not fighting properly and giving up? That was unthinkable.

Though he was earnest, Paile shot back, pouting, “Sure, that sounds cool, but are you in a position to call someone else ‘prey’?”

“What?”

“You lost to a disaster, so how do you expect to beat my sister?”

“…”

The Dark Knight fell silent.

He seemed at a loss for words, likely because she was right.

Still, he didn’t see that as a humiliation.

“Come on, answer me~!”

If anything, wasn’t it exciting?

The stronger the enemy, the greater the thrill.

He didn’t know who his parents were.

He didn’t know and didn’t need to; he had thought of himself as parentless.

From the moment he gained consciousness, he had been a Dark Knight and a monster hunter.

That was all there was to him.

He had lived all this time to see where this drive for battle and thrill would lead him.

“Hey~ Hey~ You always clam up when things don’t go your way. Is this just me, or—”

“Once.”

Suddenly, he murmured.

A woman’s icy face surfaced in his mind.

Just once.

If only he could clash with her with everything on the line, he would be satisfied no matter the outcome.

The Black Calamity was a fearsome adversary.

Even the Holy Knights had fled in terror, and it had been far beyond his own ability to handle.

A foe worthy of the title “Enemy of the World.”

When faced with that creature, what had Quellière said?

─What right do you have to be here?

─Filthy like a rotten well, lawless like a night parade of demons.

Her words were arrogant and condescending, as if looking down from above.

However, no one who heard them would have considered them mere arrogance. She exuded composure.

She had a strong conviction in herself.

And in the end, she proved herself with a power that transcended limits.

─Return to the landfill. That cursed land is your home.

Chandrafail still remembered the frost-laden venom in her words.

What if the enemy in that battle had not been the calamity, but himself?

The calamity had survived.

But he might have died.

It was something he had already accepted.

“So, Quellière… you will not be able to avoid this fight.”

In his life, had he ever faced an opponent of this magnitude?

Until this was resolved, no other monster could catch his attention.

“But, hey, mister.”

Paile, who had been puffing out her cheeks, suddenly spoke up.

“If we keep following him like this, won’t the Paladin get upset?”

She was right.

Chandrafail was currently tracking the Paladin’s trail.

The malicious energy he had planted was guiding the way.

He responded curtly.

“What does that matter?”

“It does matter! I was taught to respect the will of people, not just monsters!”

Her bold proclamation, made with her back straight, soon faltered.

“…Maybe. I don’t remember my mom and dad, but I think they would have taught me that.”

An orphan with no memory of her parents.

She had no sorrowful memories, but there were moments when loneliness crept in.

The recent battle with the Paladin had eventually been revealed to her. The impact of the fight had been impossible to conceal, so it was only natural.

“It doesn’t matter.”

The Dark Knight’s response was as indifferent as ever.

But the meaning behind his words was different.

“That’s why I spared him.”

Whatever the Paladin thought of Quellière, it was far from ordinary.

That man would likely hover around, guarding her endlessly.

In his own way, he had ensured things went as intended.

And now, like this, he was following closely behind.

There was no need to keep watch over Quellière’s every move. She would lead him to the destination on her own.

“Wow…”

Paile let out an exclamation, unsure whether it was out of incredulity or admiration.

As she fell silent, the room once again returned to stillness.

Puff—!

Only the quiet snorts of the black horse echoed through the tranquil streets.